Self-disclosure on the Net: A risk factor for problematic use of the Internet among insecure persons

Introduction. Problematic use of the Internet (PUI) is more and more commonly seen among psychiatry patients. PUI is defined as an excessive preoccupation about and use of the Internet, which can be characterized by more time spent on-line than what was planned, with difficulties leading to distress or significant disorders. The new mode of interaction provided by the Internet facilitates self-disclosure, especially for socially anxious persons who feel safer and more comfortable in on-line compared with face-to-face interactions. Several studies point to the fact that insecure attachment, and particularly preoccupied attachment, is associated with problematic use of the Internet. Preoccupied attachment is characterized by a negative model of self and a positive model of others. Persons with a negative model of self feel anxious in interpersonal relationships. Because self-disclosure is easier on-line, it may play a role in problematic use of the Internet. Aims. The aim of the study is to better understand the link between insecure attachment and problematic use of the Internet, by examining the mediating role of self-disclosure. Method. - Participants anonymously completed the following self-questionnaires on-line: the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), which assesses problematic use of the Internet, the Relationship Scale Questionnaire (RSQ), which evaluates attachment, and the "Real-me" questionnaire, which measures increased self disclosure on the Internet compared with face-to-face interactions. Sample. - Participants (n = 200, 73 % women) were recruited via e-mails, social networks, ads in local stores and leaflets in public places, directing them towards a link in which they could complete the on-line questionnaires. Data analysis. - Descriptive analyses were conducted to examine the main characteristics of participants. A t-test was used to explore gender differences. Main analyses consisted of correlational analyses between attachment, the "Real-me", and problematic use of the Internet. A series of regression analyses were then used to test the mediating role of the "Real-me" in the link between insecure attachment and problematic use of the Internet. Results. - Results confirm the associations between problematic use of the Internet and, respectively, preoccupied and fearful attachment. Complete mediation of the "Real-me" in the association between negative model of self (attachment) and problematic use of the Internet was also confirmed. Discussion and conclusion. - Preoccupied and fearful attachments are both associated with problematic use of the Internet. These persons have a negative model of Self which may hamper their ability to be at ease in face-to-face interactions. Being themselves on the Internet mediates the link between negative model of self and problematic use of the Internet. Resorting to,a less threatening environment of exchange may thus explain these insecure individuals' tendency to overuse the Internet. Future research investigating the different activities on the Internet would be useful to bitter determine whether certain specific activities are more closely linked to problematic use of the Internet among insecure individuals. (C) 2016 L'Encephale, Paris.